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7
On pages 12-15 some details are given respecting the important question of
infantile mortality and the measures that have been taken to prevent infantile
illnesses and deaths. I may briefly mention that as the proper feeding of infants
who cannot be breast-fed is a most important problem, and as a Municipal milk
depot would, in Holborn, be very costly, I fortunately was able to arrange with
the Express Dairy Co., Ltd., who have various depots in and near the Borough,
to supply modified milk for infants of the working classes for about' the same
charges as at Municipal milk depots, and the arrangements have been in force
since June, 1906.
The use of the modified milk is advised by the lady Sanitary Inspector in
suitable cases, and the satisfactory results that have generally been obtained have
been much appreciated by the mothers, who often recommend it to their friends.
The arrangements are thus gradually becoming more known and more frequently
used.
I give a short report on the desirability of a much earlier registration of births
than six weeks after their occurrence which is allowed by the existing law (pages
14, 15).
The Local Government Board decided to hold an Inquiry respecting the
Warner Street (Italian Colony) Area which was represented by me in July, 1901,
as an unhealthy area under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
1890. As a result of the Inquiry the houses of all the courts in the area have
been demolished, affording increased light, ventilation, and air space to the
remaining houses. The underground rooms have been discontinued for living
purposes, and the repairs, alterations and renovations agreed upon have been carried
out. As a result, pending the promised further development of the area, a very
considerable improvement has been made. Further details respecting the area
are given on pages 32-36.
Under the Cleansing of Persons Act during the year, 261 men and one woman
infested with vermin or parasites had their bodies cleansed and clothing disinfected
free of charge.
As mentioned in my last Annual Report, the supervision of the removal of
house refuse was transferred from the Borough Surveyor's Department to the
Public Health Department on the 26th June, 1905. In accordance with the
Contract all house refuse has to be removed, during the months April to October
inclusive, at least twice a week and oftener if required by the Medical Officer of
Health, and in the remaining months, November to March, at least once in each
week and oftener if required. In the main thoroughfares there is a daily collection.
The Contractor was again, as in the year 1905, fined £100 for breaches of the
Contract respecting the bi-weekly removal of house refuse during the months of
June and July.